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14 ◆ CAVALIER CORNER "Our sport's tough. Our sport is very, very difficult. I would say there's a good chance that he will do that [go to a Final Four]. Hopefully where he's not knocking us out." Krzyzewski's Blue Devils are the favor- ites to win the ACC this season, but the Cavaliers are expected to be on their heels. Nichols, a 6-9, 234-pound forward, has the potential to anchor UVA's return to a deep level of the NCAA Tournament. The third-year averaged 13.0 points and 3.4 blocks per game in 2014-15, his last season at Memphis. "Expectations, I like to embrace them," Nichols said. "I know there's a lot of ex- pectations out there for me, and that's OK. I kind of figured that was going to be how it was coming into Virginia. "I don't get nervous or anything like that, I just kind of embrace it. I just try to go out there and do what I know best." Which starts defensively, where he fig- ures to give the Wahoos a rim protector they didn't have last season. While sitting out last winter because of NCAA transfer rules, Nichols made his presence felt as a member of Virginia's scout team. "I had to figure out new ways to get my shot off because I was getting my shot blocked all over the place," Wilkins said. "So he's definitely a very good rim protec- tor and I'm definitely glad he's on our side now." The new faces theme continues with a loaded five-man first-year class ranked among the top 10 in the country. Indianapolis guard Kyle Guy is the head- liner after ending his last year as a high schooler in the prestigious McDonald's All- American Game. Guy was named Mr. Bas- ketball in Indiana after scoring 23.5 points, grabbing 5.6 rebounds and handing out 3.7 assists per contest in 2015-16. "We're going to need some good shooting to stretch the floor," Bennett said, "and Kyle has certainly proven to do that." Rookie point guard Ty Jerome made the all-state squad in New York during his final year at Iona Prep. He's 6-5, giving Bennett a different option at point, mixing with the four-year starter Perrantes. "I feel like he's a taller me," Perrantes said of Jerome. "Obviously he's 6-5, but I find a lot of similarities in his game as mine. I feel like he's definitely trying to pick my brain as much as he can in the short span that I have with him. "But he's definitely a good player. I really admire his game." Other first-years include 6-11 forward Jay Huff and 6-7 wing De'Andre Hunter. Forward Mamadi Diakite is a 6-9 redshirt first-year. "It's the best freshman class in the country," Guy said. "It's as simple as that. There's so much skill here. "Jay [Huff] is unbelievably skilled, if he plays four years I guarantee his jersey will be hung up. Mamadi [Diakite] is a freak athlete. And then there's Ty [Je- rome] and De'Andre [Hunter], everyone's phenomenal." Added Nichols: "I think they're all studs. I think once they all have confidence, the sky is the limit for them. I love playing with them." The rookies, though, are unproven, much like many of the veterans. Virginia had three players average double figures in scoring last season Only one — Perrantes — is back. Semi-contributors of Third-year forward Austin Nichols, who had to sit out last year after transferring from Memphis to UVA, will provide the Cavaliers with interior scoring and shot blocking. PHOTO COURTESY UVA "That's a burning desire. And I'm very competitive and I want that." HEAD COACH TONY BENNETT ON REACHING THE FINAL FOUR